JOINT PRESS STATEMENT 5th March 2020

Update on the progress of works on the Capacity Improvement of the Northern Bypass project (21Km) The Government of the Republic of has prioritized the implementation of infrastructure to accelerate the attainment of overall socio-economic transformation of the country and East Africa at large. As a result of this, the Government through its implementing agency the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) undertook to construct the first phase of the Kampala Northern Bypass project between 2004 and 2009 with grant support from the European Union (EU) of EUR 52.2 million. The current Capacity Improvement of the Kampala Northern Bypass Project is the second phase of this highway construction project, also co-funded by the Government of Uganda and the European Union through EUR 40 million grant blended with EUR 7.2 million loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB). The project is intended to improve urban mobility in and around Kampala through capacity increase of the Kampala Northern Bypass, to relieve congestion on this vital Northern Corridor Route, reducing travel time and vehicle operating costs and improve road safety. To achieve these objectives, the project includes the following: 1. Construction of an additional carriageway, approximately 17.5km long, to complete the dualisation of the Kampala Northern Bypass to a 4-lane dual carriageway road; 2. Construction of 3 new footbridges at Kyebando, Ntinda, and . These are intended to allow safe crossing of pedestrians across the road; 3. Construction of 6 new grade-separated interchanges at Sentema, Hoima, , Kyebando, Ntinda and Naalya. These are intended to separate the express traffic along the Kampala Northern Bypass from the adjoining traffic from the connecting roads for instance Nabulagala - Sentema, Kampala – Hoima, Kampala – Gayaza roads, etc; 4. Comprehensive road safety features such as (i) segregated facilities for cyclists and pedestrians (ii) improved lighting, (iii) active road-studs, (iii) improved at-grade crossings at signalized junctions, (iv) full length road edge safety barriers, among others; and 5. The project has a number of improvements to cater for a better functionality like improved drainage systems with large capacity drains and box culverts, constructions of utility services crossing ducts (to avoid future damage to the road). Current Progress Status The ongoing second phase of the Kampala Northern Bypass commenced in July 2014 with an originally expected completion date of July 2017. The physical progress as at end of February 2020 was at 70% and the contractor is fully mobilized towards completion of the project by October 2021. The project has suffered significant delays in acquisition of land for construction of site and as such the contractor’s productivity and progress has been hindered. The challenges that delayed timely land acquisition arose from; disputed compensation amounts by Project Affected Persons (PAPs), family disputes over land ownership, absentee landlords and design improvements. The Contractor was granted 100% access to site in August 2019, leading to significant progress of works at all the 6 interchanges. Present progress and expected project milestones

Section Present Estimated Interchanges Present Estimated Busega – 100% October 2019 Sentema IC 94% March 2020 Sentema Sentema – November 100% Hoima IC 90% March 2020 Hoima 2019 Gayaza – February 44% Gayaza IC 30% October 2021 Keybando 2021 Keybando – February 44% Keybando IC 61% October 2021 Ntinda 2021 Ntinda – Naalya 85% May 2020 Ntinda IC 37% June 2021 Naalya – 83% May 2020 Naalya IC 18% October 2021 Nambole

UNRA therefore wishes to request the public to observe that the project is progressing at 5 Interchanges and another section concurrently, with expected traffic constrains, for which we appeal to the road users to observe the traffic management guidelines (on site and through different media dissemination) that have been put in place to enhance safety, enable smooth flow of traffic and avoid likely accidents. UNRA remains committed to its Mission: “To Efficiently Develop and Maintain a Safe and Sustainable National Road Network for the Economic Development of Uganda”. For more details, kindly contact the following:

 Mr. Mark Ssali, UNRA Head of Public and Corporate Affairs: +256 414 318 106 / +256 772 517 118 or the Media desk on: +256 414 318 114/107

● Mr. Apollo Munghinda, MoFPED Principal Communications Officer/ Head Communications: +256 772 622 972. ● Mr. Emmanuel Gyezaho, Press Advisor European Union Delegation to Uganda: +256 312 701000 / +256 752 756 904